Comparing boilers for floor heat

[1hawkeye]

I am looking for a easy system to install in a 45x64 shop. I have the pex tubing in the concrete with plastic down first then 2" of Styrofoam. I have been looking at a system from Hydro-Shark that uses a Stiebel Eltron boiler. I have a system in the basement of our house that uses a boiler from Siesco. Can anyone shed any light on the differences. I would like to use the Hydro-Shark as it comes pre assembled on a "skid" and all I would need to do is install 2 manifolds. Thanks in advance

 

[anthony666]

stiebel eltron is top notch stuff, all made in europe or north america, a lot of their stuff is relabeled and used by viessmann and other high end manufacturers .. killer trouble free equipment .. as usual i'm gonna state my objections to using on-demand water heaters for space heating unless ok'd by the manufacturer .. as a caveat, the last stiebel eltron on demand i installed called for 3 seperate 60 amp breakers and a 300 amp service breaker box .. so don't cry if your power bill is insane

re; seisco .. my mother brought me up not to say anything if i had nothing good to say .. the ones i've seen had 1/2" inlet & outlet, which is fine under a sink but for radiant not so much

you got a link to this hydro shark system ???

 

[Jackfre]

Electric resistance heat gives me the heebie jebees. You have many gas fired options. If you must go electric perhaps you could look at the Daikin Altherma air to water heat pump.

Sorry, can't help with your original question.

 

[CNGsaves]

A little off topic, but ran across 1990 This Old House episode where they went to West Germany to tour the Viessman Manufacturing plant where the boilers are made. Seeing the materials and skills used on those boilers, you can really appreciate the quality.

There's also tour of nice W German house that has some unique construction, but equally innovative heating methods . . . of course with Viessman boiler !!

 

[tdkkart]

re; seisco .. my mother brought me up not to say anything if i had nothing good to say .. the ones i've seen had 1/2" inlet & outlet, which is fine under a sink but for radiant not so much

you got a link to this hydro shark system ???

Hydro Shark used to be re-branded Seisco.

Hydro Shark switched suppliers to Stiebel Eltron.

I have a Hydro Shark/Seisco that has been running flawlessly for the last 5 years. Seisco still makes the same space heating specific model.

 

[tdkkart]

Electric resistance heat gives me the heebie jebees. You have many gas fired options.

Lets see......

Silent, low temp, fully enclosed heat source that gives you back 100% of every BTU you put in. Very economical to purchase and cost very little to install. No carbon monoxide or other safety issues.

vs

High temp open flame in a shop full of flamable chemicals and gasoline. Often only 80-90% efficiency. Expensive to buy, expensive to install.


No, electric isn't right for everyone but is often the only viable choice for many. I like mine just the way it is, and it costs me no more than my friends that run much more dangerous propane.

 

[custom1]

Hydro Shark used to be re-branded Seisco.

Hydro Shark switched suppliers to Stiebel Eltron.

I have a Hydro Shark/Seisco that has been running flawlessly for the last 5 years. Seisco still makes the same space heating specific model.

This is good to know. I was wondering the same thing as I knew the Hydro shark and Seisco were the same before.

There are also Maxwell. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/120805349712?lpid=82

And Ecosmart. http://www.ebay.com/itm/ECOSMART-11...792?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a801335e0

 

[cpope84]

I got a system from Janes radiant using a Slantfin electric boiler. Its heating 5000 square feet with 16' walls. It took 1.5 days to warm the shop from 38* to 62*. I just got my electric bill and it was $160. I don't think thats bad for the size of the shop.

 

[anthony666]

I got a system from Janes radiant using a Slantfin electric boiler. Its heating 5000 square feet with 16' walls. It took 1.5 days to warm the shop from 38* to 62*. I just got my electric bill and it was $160. I don't think thats bad for the size of the shop.

the slantfin unit is a real boiler, not a on demand water heater .. what do you pay for a kw/hour ???

I have a Hydro Shark/Seisco that has been running flawlessly for the last 5 years. Seisco still makes the same space heating specific model.

just out of curiosity what size are the inlet/outlet on your hydro shark tdkkart ??

i agree that even electric radiant is better than no radiant .. where i am electric power is NOT cheap and it's slated to got up 40% over the next 5 years

 

[tdkkart]

what do you pay for a kw/hour ??

just out of curiosity what size are the inlet/outlet on your hydro shark tdkkart ??

My unit has 3/4" fittings in and out.

My $$/kw is goofy, not often do you see a rate structure that gets cheaper the more you use, but ours does. Winter rate starts at 12 cents, but goes down as low as 4 cents if i use enough. I've paid the same for 1800kw as I have for 1200kw. My monthly "budget" payment for the electric to my shop(1200s/f) would be $50/month if I went that way. I just pay a couple big winter bills.

 

[anthony666]

My unit has 3/4" fittings in and out.

My $$/kw is goofy, not often do you see a rate structure that gets cheaper the more you use, but ours does. Winter rate starts at 12 cents, but goes down as low as 4 cents if i use enough. I've paid the same for 1800kw as I have for 1200kw. My monthly "budget" payment for the electric to my shop(1200s/f) would be $50/month if I went that way. I just pay a couple big winter bills.

i'm moving to iowa .. i plugged in my stock tank heaters last month and my power bill is gonna be insane

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

OP: Where do you live? Do you have access to natural Gas? Do you have your own well?

 

[1hawkeye]

stiebel eltron is top notch stuff,

you got a link to this hydro shark system ???

http://hydro-shark.com

 

[1hawkeye]

OP: Where do you live? Do you have access to natural Gas? Do you have your own well?

I am in western Iowa, no natural gas. I do have my own deep well. My normal electric charge is .08/kw but for heat in the house, water heaters, heat pumps we can get that for .04/kw. so I really think electric is the way to go for me.

 

[1hawkeye]

Lets see......

Silent, low temp, fully enclosed heat source that gives you back 100% of every BTU you put in. Very economical to purchase and cost very little to install. No carbon monoxide or other safety issues.

vs

High temp open flame in a shop full of flamable chemicals and gasoline. Often only 80-90% efficiency. Expensive to buy, expensive to install.


No, electric isn't right for everyone but is often the only viable choice for many. I like mine just the way it is, and it costs me no more than my friends that run much more dangerous propane.

My thoughts exactly. I have a extremely tight building since I used the closed cell spray foam and don't feel like cutting holes to bring in gas and take out exhaust. Don't need to purchase another propane tank, etc

 

[1hawkeye]

Hydro Shark used to be re-branded Seisco.

Hydro Shark switched suppliers to Stiebel Eltron.

I have a Hydro Shark/Seisco that has been running flawlessly for the last 5 years. Seisco still makes the same space heating specific model.

If I am understanding them correctly Hydro-Shark is the company assembling the panel which consists of the expansion tank, pumps, relief valve, air eliminator,etc. They are purchasing the boilers from stiebel eltron.

A local plumber quoted me a system the same size as the one I'm looking at and he was about 60% higher than what I can purchase this one for and install myself.

 

[anthony666]

http://hydro-shark.com

that's a bad link, but i meant the SPECIFIC system you got

 

[tdkkart]

A local plumber quoted me a system the same size as the one I'm looking at and he was about 60% higher than what I can purchase this one for and install myself.

You looking at the setup from Menards?? My Dad just put one in and is quite happy with it. I think they're a touch more money than piecing one together, but for an all in one setup they appear to be decent.

 

[1hawkeye]

You looking at the setup from Menards?? My Dad just put one in and is quite happy with it. I think they're a touch more money than piecing one together, but for an all in one setup they appear to be decent.

I am talking to Hydro-Smart directly but yes, I think they also sell the same system at Menards. For the price difference I think this is the best way to go for me. I can easily install myself and save a pretty good chunk of cash.

 

[cpope84]

the slantfin unit is a real boiler, not a on demand water heater .. what do you pay for a kw/hour ???

8.9 cents kwh